Because Steam doesn't help them make money, like it helps Valve or the Indie companies. We may eventually see SCII on Steam but it will probably be several months after its release.
The thing with blizzards is they never release games without them being ready. I for one am hugely in favor of this concept vs. the RELEASE DATE GOGOGOOGOGO o frick no time /sigh /scrapgametogether........
Pre holiday projections are starting to come out for video game earnings, and it is looking bleak.
First off, reports are coming out showing the effect of the recession has finally caught up to games, some showing a revenue decline on new product near double digits.
Add that to the fact that employers that usually offer bonuses for discretionary holiday spending are not going to this year, that means people are going to have to tighten their belts this holiday, and that is when the game industry normally butters its bread with its most anticipated titles.
This may be because the game needs a little more time in the oven, but I mostly think its because they want to hold release until this thing blows over so they have a better chance at making a successful launch.
This may be because the game needs a little more time in the oven, but I mostly think its because they want to hold release until this thing blows over so they have a better chance at making a successful launch.
So, you think they're looking at a 2018 launch, then?
Lets us all hope not. Plenty of prominent holiday 2009 titles are being pushed out though. Trick with a hit game, is you only have a narrow window to command that full premium in the current market, so why blow it in a down market? Especially when the competitive stakes will be high at that point in the year.
New Starcraft, Bioshock, Max Payne, Splinter Cell all being pushed back, and that is just the tip of the iceberg.
What may be encouraging is the expectation that allot of AAA titles that we may not have played might hit that budget title shelf just in time for the holiday. I think that is the strategy they are going to employ this year with a few sure fire hit exceptions to the rule (Modern Warfare 2 anyone?).
primesuspect
Beepin n' BoopinDetroit, MI Icrontian
Comments
What makes it even funnier is it was delayed for a reason many people seem to not want to buy it.
Quoting myself because I'm a tool.
As long as you said it first... :P Where did you say that before?
First off, reports are coming out showing the effect of the recession has finally caught up to games, some showing a revenue decline on new product near double digits.
Add that to the fact that employers that usually offer bonuses for discretionary holiday spending are not going to this year, that means people are going to have to tighten their belts this holiday, and that is when the game industry normally butters its bread with its most anticipated titles.
This may be because the game needs a little more time in the oven, but I mostly think its because they want to hold release until this thing blows over so they have a better chance at making a successful launch.
So, you think they're looking at a 2018 launch, then?
Lets us all hope not. Plenty of prominent holiday 2009 titles are being pushed out though. Trick with a hit game, is you only have a narrow window to command that full premium in the current market, so why blow it in a down market? Especially when the competitive stakes will be high at that point in the year.
New Starcraft, Bioshock, Max Payne, Splinter Cell all being pushed back, and that is just the tip of the iceberg.
What may be encouraging is the expectation that allot of AAA titles that we may not have played might hit that budget title shelf just in time for the holiday. I think that is the strategy they are going to employ this year with a few sure fire hit exceptions to the rule (Modern Warfare 2 anyone?).